/5^ 
.7    - 


WILD    FLOWERS 


OF  THE 


ROCKY  MOUNTAINS 


OIUGIXAI.LY  PiliLISIIED    UXDF.K    TITLE   Ol' 
niLD  FLOWERS  Of  COLORADO 


FROM   ORIGINAL   WATER   COLOR    SKETCHES    DRAWN 

FROM    NATURE 


BY 

EMAIA  HOMAN  THAYER 

AUTHOR    OF    "  WILD    FLOWERS   OF    THF,    PACIFIC    COAST,"    ETC, 


CASSELL    PUBLISHING    COMPANY 

104  ANn  106  I'ouRTii  AvKNur,  Nkw  York. 


Copyright, 

iSSf), 

r.y  O.  .M.  nuxiiAM. 


ALL  Rionra  reserved. 


CunoMo-LmiocRArHED  „v  Don-aldson  I!.oT,m„.,  Nhw  Vor,c. 


UNAIY  OF  THE  UNIVERSITY  \ 


XJ^SW^%  ■  —  *  ^^* 


TO 

My  Tourists  Frtends, 

ELMER,  AMY,  and  BYRON, 

I   DEDICATE  THIS  BOOK. 


n.^ 


LIST  OF  PLATES. 


ANEMONE    OK    WIND    I  roWKR. 

YUCCA    OR    S<JAP    PLANT. 

COl.UMBINK. 

MARIPOSA    I.II.V. 

PRI.MR(JSK. 

IRIS    OR     FI.i;iR-|)|.,-|.ls. 

PKiMii.A   ar(;i-.mom;   mixuana   or   phkki.v-poppv, 

IPOMIKA    or    "max    ok    nil     EARTH." 

asiers. 
tri:e   CACTI'S. 

I)\VARI     OR    CIP    CACTI'S. 
CACTI'S. 

k.nioht's  piume 

G I  I.I  A. 

GENTIAN. 

COI.DEN    A\n    SPIDER    ASTERS. 

EPIIOim-M    OK     ni.TITREI.V     IT.OWER. 

TIIIMHI.E    PLANT. 

CASTEII.EIA    OK    PAIXIER's     HRUSH. 

I.INCM    OR    EAIKV    LILLY. 

MALLOW. 

CENWTIIERA    OR    E, EN' I  NO    PRIMROSE. 

CI.EOME. 

WILL)    (JERANIl.'M     LEAVES. 


Wild  Flowers  of  Colorado. 


A  moonlight  nioht,  a  party  of  friends  had  called  to  say 
good-by.  They  were  going,  they  said,  "for  a  good  time,"  and 
what  should  they  bring  me?  Now  this  good  time  meant  six  in 
the  party,  a  private  car,  a  fine  variety  t)f  ammunition  for  the 
department  of  the  interior,  guns,  rods,  and  four  beautiful  dogs. 

"What  will  you  bring  me  ?  Flowers — all  that  you  can  find; 
and  pre? '  them  so  that  I  can  paint  them  as  souvenirs  of  your 
trip."  "We  will  do  so— but  stay;  why  not  accompany  us  and 
make  your  paintings  from  the  fresh  flowers?  It  will  be  much 
better  than  copying  the  pressed  ones.  I  will  take  my  wife,  who 
is  wild  to  go,  and  instead  of  six,  we  shall  make  eight.  But  if, 
while  calmly  sketching,  a  stray  shot  comes  too  close,  or  all  the 
dogs  in  turn  play  leap-frog  o\'er  your  easel,  shall  we  then  sec  the 
same  smiling  countenance  ?  "  "  Certainly  ! "  "  Then  it  is  agreed," 
and  so  it  came  to  pass  that  in  the  autumn  of  1884  a  happy  party 
left  Denver  for  a  thirty  days'  trip  in  the  mountains  of  Colorado. 

While  we  arc  on  our  way  to  Colorado  Springs,  which  we  do 
not  reach  until  afternoon,  let  me  help  you  pass  the  time  by 
showing  you  some  of  our  early  spring  flowers. 

The  first  to  make  its  appearance,  almost   before  the  snow 


lO  WILD    I'LOWERS    OF    COLORADO. 

has  disappeared,  is  the  anemone,  or  wind  flower.  It  brings 
Easter  to  me  more  forcibly  than  any  other  flower.  No  matter 
how  early  that  holy  festival  arrives,  this  little  lily-shaped  flower  is 
here  to  welcome  it.  Observe  how  delicate  are  its  lavender  blos- 
soms, and  how  well  protected  it  is  from  the  cold.  A  substance 
resembling  fur  grows  up  around  the  blossom.  It  would  seem  as 
though  this  little  fur  coat  were  given  it  to  protect  it  from  the 
cold.  Later  you  see  it  leaving  its  coat  behind,  and  as  it  gets 
older  and  stronger  it  drops  it  altogether.  After  the  blossom  dis- 
appears the  plant  resembles  a  little  family  of  fur  balls.  I  found 
this  one  growing  on  the  prairie  some  little  distance  from  Colorado 
Springs. 

Early  one  morning  I  started  out  for  a  walk,  and,  as  usual, 
taking  my  little  tin  box  of  colors  with  me,  I  walked  in  the 
direction  of  "  Manitou,"  as  I  could  the  better  have  a  view  of 
Pike's  Peak.  It  was  one  of  those  clear,  brifrht  mornings  when 
every  mountain  stood  out  clear  and  distinct ;  one  could  see  the 
many  parks,  and  imagine  just  where  lay  the  lovely  clear  lakes 
which  have  been  so  much  admired  by  those  who  have  seen  them 
while  visiting  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Without  knowing  it  I  had  walked  a- long  distance,  so  lost  in 
thought  and  admiration  had  I  been,  and,  disliking  to  turn  my 
back  on  the  lovely  scenery,  I  sat  down  for  a  little  rest,  and 
discovered  I  was  sitting  in  the  midst  of  these  pretty  wind-flowers. 
They  came  up  from  the  sand  like  so  many  little  fur  heads,  with 
bright  lavender  eyes  that  seemed  to  open  wider  and  wider  as  I 


V  U  C  C  A 


WILD    I'LOWKRS    OF    COLORADO.  II 

looked  at  them.  Choosing  a  fine  hunch  that  seemed  further 
advanced  than  the  others  I  soon  made  a  sketch  of  it.  I  say  soon. 
To  an  artist  interested  in  the  work  time  is  nothing,  and  it  is 
usually  hours  instead  of  minutes  that  have  passed.  When  I  had 
finished  this  sketch  I  found  the  sun  cast  its  rays  directly  upon 
me,  and  I  knew  there  was  no  time  to  lose  if  I  expected  to  reach 
home  in  time  for  dinner. 

The  next  of  what  I  consider  exclusively  Colorado  plants  is 
the  yucca.  It  comes  much  later  in  the  spring,  and  if  the  season 
is  late  it  is  often  June  before  it  makes  its  appearance.  I  have 
given  only  the  top  of  the  stalk  and  the  buds  and  the  tips  of  the 
leaves.  This  plant  grows  from  one  to  four  feet  high,  and  blos- 
soms all  the  way  down  the  stalk,  or,  I  should  say,  all  the  way  up 
from  the  root.  The  full  blown  blossoms  are  v.hite,  with  slight 
streaks  of  a  delicate  pink  and  green.  They  are  as  large  as 
a  tulip  and  much  like  the  tulip  in  shape  ;  but  instead  of  looking 
up,  they  look  down.  They  are  very  beautiful,  and  blossom  until 
the  last  of  August.  The  leaves  are  sword-shaped,  very  sharp 
and  stiff,  and  grow  from  twelve  to  eighteen  inches  long.  They 
all  start  directly  from  the  center,  the  stalk  standing  perfectly 
straight.  The  common  name  is  soap-plant,  the  root  being  used 
by  the  Indians  instead  of  soap. 

Speaking  of  yucca  reminds  me  of  an  Indian  girl  I  knew  in 
the  early  days  of  Colorado,  before  the  Indian^-  had  gone  to  their 
reservation.  A  squaw  often  came  to  my  rooms  to  beg.  She  had 
learned  a  few  English  words,  and  could  say  with  apparent  pride, 


12  WILD    ri.OWKRS    OF    COLORADO. 

"Gum  mc  bit.  Gum  mc  l)it."  To  gixc  her  the  "bit"  every  time 
she  came  was  (|uite  impossible,  as  it  rej)resentecl  a  shilhng  of  our 
money,  but  to  the  scjuaw  it  made  httle  (hfference  whether  she 
recei\'e(l  the  bit  or  not,  for  she  came  just  the  same  every  mornin_t(. 
A  worse  looking  creature  one  could  hardly  imagine.  An  old 
gray  blanket,  confined  at  the  waist  with  a  })iece  of  rope,  composed 
her  dress  ;  on  her  feet  she  wore  moccasins,  with  pieces  of  blanket 
tied  around  her  ankles  for  stockings.  She  was  never  seen  with 
any  thing  on  her  head,  and  her  hair,  oh  !  that  hair !  I  can 
not  describe  it.  If  some  of  our  enthusiastic  Eastern  friends 
could  have  seen  her,  what  a  contrast  she  would  have  made  to  the 
lovely  Indian  maiden  that  has  so  enlisted  their  sym[)athy.  Their 
first  impulse  would  be  to  look  around  for  a  bath-house,  and  their 
first  present  a  piece  of  soap  with  instructions  how  to  use  it ;  but 
if  their  advice  as  to  cleanliness  had  been  no  better  heeded  than 
mine  was,  it  would  have  done  but  little  good. 

With  this  particular  s(|uaw  I  made  up  my  mind  to  do  some 
missionary  work.  I  taught  her  some  words,  such  as  "good," 
"bad,"  "wash,"  "comb,"  and  many  others.  Then  I  gave  her  a 
piece  of  soap,  rubbing  it  with  my  hands  as  if  washing  them.  She 
looked  at  me  in  astonishment  and  said  "Yes,  yes."  I  had  some 
hope  for  her.  The  next  morning  she  came,  and  after  the  first 
salutation  of  "  Gum  me  bit,"  she  showed  me  her  hands.  The 
inside  of  them  was  covered  with  dry  soap.  I  was  discouraged, 
but  getting  a  basin  of  water  I  made  her  put  her  hands  in  and  rub 
them.      She  seemed  to  understand,  and,  laughing,  said   "  Yock, 


WILD  FLOWERS  OF  COLORADO.  1 3 

Yock,"  and  before  I  could  show  her  how  to  wash  them  she  dis- 
appeared, but  soon  returned  bringing  a  yucca  root,  and  break- 
ing it  in  pieces  gave  them  to  me  ;  she  then  took  a  ivloce  and 
putting  it  in  the  basin  rubbed  her  hands  in  great  glee,  saying 
*•  Yock  washee."  I  then  understood  for  the  first  time  the  virtue 
of  the  yucca  root;  and  this  Indian  girl  whom  I  was  trying  to 
teach  was  able  to  teach  me. 

Here  is  some  columbine  a  friend  of  mine  gathered.      I  say 
".a  friend  of  mine,"  and  surely  he  has  proven  both  guide  and 
friend  on  many  a  trip  over  the  mountains  ;  should  I  mention  his 
name  many  tourists  would   remember  him  with  pleasure.       He 
would    perhaps    object   to   have   his   name   in    print,   and    so   we 
will  call   him   ''Dick;"  but  should   I   write  as   I  feel  inclined,  I 
would   devote   a  chapter  to   his   bravery   and   goodness.      Dick, 
knowing  my  fondness  for  mountain  flowers,  made  many  a  perilous 
trip  to  gather  them  for  me.      The  day  he  brought  me  this  lovely 
bunch    of   columbine    he    had   just    returned    with    a  party  from 
a  long  trip  up  the  mountains.      He  looked  tired  and  dusty,  but  a 
smile  lighted  up  his  face  when  he  said  :   "These  beat  any  thing  I 
ever  see  in  tliis  kind  of  flower;  they're  pretty,  ain't  they,  now? 
I  see  them  a  good  l^it  off  and  asked  the  gentlemen  if  they  would 
mind  to  rest  a  few  minutes  while   I   got  a  bunch  of  'em.      They 
seemed  glad  to  stop,  for  we  had  had  a  hard  morning,  coming  down 
ovtM- bowlders  as  large  as  this  room,  some  of  them,  and  they  being 
'  tcnderfeet'  they  needed  no  great  amount  of  coaxing  to  stop  ;  and 
I   hadn't  got   more'n    a   dozen    feet    from    them    when    I    looked 


14  WILD    FLOWERS   OF    COLORADO, 

back  and  every  last  one  was  stretched  out  at  full  length,  and  I've 
no  doubt  but  flist  asleep;  yet  they  had  made  the  trip  up  the 
mountain  with  no  complaints. 

"  It    is    strange,   ain't    it,    now,    how   those    eastern   fellows, 
tourists  they  call  them,  will  come  out  here  and  chmb  mountains, 
and  do  more  hard  work  in  one  week  than  they  would  do  in  a  year 
at    home,   and    try    to  act   just  as  if  they  were  used  to  it,   and 
they  could  stand   it  just  as  well  as   I   can.      I   never  let  on  but 
I    believe   'em,    and    we    trudge    right   along;    but    I   ain't  hard- 
hearted enough  to  let  'em  start  in  those  little  pointed  shoes  that 
they    have    on    their  feet,   but    make   'em  believe  they  can't  get 
a  good   foot-hold  with  that   kind,  and   in  that  way  I   get  them 
started  in  good  broad  soles.     They  laugh  at  them  at  first,  but 
before  they  are  through  they  have  good  cause  to  rejoice,  and  will 
recommend  'em  with  pride  to  their  friends  for  mountain  climbing. 
"  When  I  got  back  they  were  much  refreshed  ;  each  had  had 
a  good   nap,    and   the   horses   also   looked   rested.     One   of  the 
gentlemen  had  a  box  of  paints,  just  like  the  one  you  always  carry, 
and  he  said  he  would  like  to  make  a  paintin'  of  the  whole  bunch  ; 
but  I  told  him  they  were  for  a  friend  of  mine,  and  gave  him  only 
a  few.     These  are  the  best  of  the  lot.      No,  they  ain't  faded  a  bit. 
I  put  the  wet  paper  around  them  just  as  you  showed  me  before, 
and  they  look  as  fresh  as  if  I  had  just  picked  them,  don't  they.?" 
In  no  state  or  country  does  the  columbine  grow  so  laro-e  or 
more    beautiful    than  in  Colorado.     The  higher  you  go  up  the 
mountains  tlie  smaller  1)ecome  the  blossoms.      They  are  in  shape 


^1^^<l  pf'SA,   lil-y 


WILD    IL0\V1':RS    of    COLORADO.  I  5 

much  like  the  eastern  cokimbinc  that  grows  wild  in  New  England 
woods,  but  there  the  colors  are  not  as  rich,  and  in  size  our  colum- 
bine is  at  least  four  times  larger.  There  are  many  shades  of 
color,  I  am  told,  but  I  have  never  seen  but  three,  yellow,  or  straw 
color,  \.':nk  and  purple. 

The  next  representation  is  the  Mariposa  lily.  They  are 
considered  one  of  the  choice  flowers  of  this  State.  Tourists 
gather  them  every  summer,  press  them  and  send  them  to  friends 
in  the  East ;  but  there  is  little  satisfaction  in  preserving  them 
in  this  way,  as  they  become  dry  and  break,  and  lose  their  color, 
which  is  a  delicate  lavender,  with  touches  of  yellow  or  orange, 
brown  and  white.  They  are  very  delicate  and  wither  quickly 
after  breaking  from  the  stem,  but  as  quickly  revive  when  placed 
in  water. 

They  are  not  a  common  flower.  I  have  seen  the  finest 
at  Manitou.  This  one  I  found  on  one  of  the  foot-hills  opposite 
the  Alanitou  House.  It  was  early  in  the  summer  and  before  the 
great  concourse  of  people  who  vWit  this  lovely  s[)ot  had  arrived. 
Two  young  ladies  from  the  East  had  come  to  visit  me,  and 
we  went  there  to  spend  a  few  days.  We  arrived  there  about  six 
o'clock  and  in  time  for  supper.  I  noticed  the  girls  had  an 
anxious  look,  and  seemed  expecting  to  see  some  one.  I  incjuired 
the  cause.  "Why,  we  are  looking  for  the  cowbo)'s  ;  where  arc 
they  ?"  "  I  do  not  know,"  I  answered,  "but  if  that  is  what  )()u 
are  looking  for,  we  will  make  inquiry  at  the  office."  To  the  office 
(which  is  also  used  for  sitting-room  as  ladies  and  gentlemen)  we 


/ 
/ 


1 6  WILD    FJ.OWKRS    OF    COLORADO. 

went.  "Cowboys,  Miss  ?  I  am  very  sorry  to  say  we  are  just  out 
of  them,  but  we  expect  some  in  al^out  seven  o'clock  in  the 
morning."  "  Oli,  how  lovely!  call  us,  please,  at  six-thirty;" 
and  the  young  ladies  seemed  really  happy  at  the  prospect  of 
seeing  a  real  cowboy. 

Tired  from  our  journey  we  were  soon  in  our  rooms  and  in 
bed.  It  seemed  to  me  I  had  only  just  fallen  asleep,  when  there 
came  a  rap  on  the  door  and  a  "six-thirty,  ladies."  We  were  called 
none  too  early,  for  already  we  could  hear  the  tramp  of  hundreds 
of  feet  and  a  low,  musical  song  or  chant  in  the  distance.  Looking 
down  from  our  window  we  saw  coming  down  the  street  a  large 
herd  of  cattle  ;  by  their  side  and  in  their  rear  rode  the  cow-boys, 
who  with  their  song,  that  sounded  so  weird  and  chant-like, 
seemed  to  control  them.  "Oh,  see  w4iat  large  hats  they  have  on, 
and  spurs,  and  how  fast  they  ride!"  came  from  the  two  young 
heads  at  the  window. 

So,  voumr  ladies,  these  are  the  cow-boys  you  have  been 
anxious  to  see.  Well,  they  are  fine  specimens  of  manly  strength 
and  health,  but  rememlier  the  term  "cow-boy"  is  improperly 
a[)plied  to  all  men  engaged  in  the  cattle  business,  no  matter 
whether  they  herd  the  cattle  or  own  them. 

I  left  the  young  ladies  to  talk  over  the  sight  they  had  just 
seen,  while  I  went  out  to  improve  the  time  in  sketching.  As  I 
started  from  the  house  I  again  heard  the  tramp  of  many  feet.  I 
looked  and  saw  horses  and  guides  coming.  They  halted  in  front 
of  the  hotel.      I  was  told  they  came  every  morning  at  the  same 


^so».-^-"-*ri*'^— . 


'  U  I  f  <^  'J  !-,  t 


WILD    ll.oWl.KS    Ol'    COl.oKAlH).  •/ 

hour  for  parties  wisliiiio-  to  ^o  to  I'ikc's  IVak.  Soon  the  party 
that  were  to  make  the  aseent  eaiiie  out,  havini;-  hrst  prepared  them- 
selves for  the  trip  with  a  oood  breakfast.  'Hicn  eaeh  chooses  her, 
or  his,  horse,  and  with  the  usual  amount  of  laui^hini;-,  talkiiitj^, 
and  "  fixino  "  tiiey  started,  the  ouide  leading  the  way,  with  the 
photographer  bringing  up  the  rear,  lie  is  ne\er  lelt.  a  party 
is  not  considered  complete  without  him,  as  it  is  the  ambition 
of  every  one  making  the  ascent  to  bring  away  with  them  their 
picture,  taken  at  the  fearful  height  of  fourteen  thousanil  feet 
above  the  level  of  the  sea. 

Primroses  are  found  on  the  plains  all  the  way  between 
Denver  and  Canyon  City.  They  spring  u})  all  over  the  prairie. 
They  make  their  appearance  early  in  the  spring,  and  1  have 
seen  them  in  blossom  as  late  as  October.  The  blossom  varies 
in  size  all  the  way  from  the  size  of  a  silver  dollar  to  ten  inches  in 
circumference.  This  one  1  found  grt)\ving  at  the  foot  of 
Cheyenne  Mountain.  They  are  usually  white,  and  the  pink  ones 
are  (juite  uncommon  ;    indeed,  this  is  the  only  i)ink  one  1   have 

ever  seen. 

1  was  riding  with  some  friends  who  were  going  for  the  first 
time  in  the  canvon.  Tiie  morning  was  a  lovely  one  ;  there 
had  been  a  recent  shower,  and  as  rain  is  cpiite  uncommon  in  this 
section  of  the  country,  it  had  been  hailed  with  delight.  The 
canyon  is  never  so  fmc  as  after  a  rain.  The  beautiful  colors  of 
the  mountains  shine  out  with  renewed  brilliancy,  and  the  delicate 
(Treen    of    the    foliage    looks    cool    and     inxiting.      Residents    of 


i8  wii.i)  i'i.o\vi;ks  oi-  Colorado, 

Colorado  Sprinc^s  have  discovered  this,  and  m(^rnini^s  after  a  rain 
you  "zaii  see  pai'ties  oi  two,  lour,  and  sometimes  ten  .'Uid  twelve, 
ridini;  toward  the  ean}'on. 

I  can  not  describe  to  )'ou  my  dchi^ht  when  I  (hscovercd  this 
primrose.  My  friends  were  all  lookin_L(  up  at  the  mai^nilicent 
si^ht  before  them.  I,  who  had  been  there  many  times  before, 
was  lookintr  down,  and  discovered  this  hjvely  specimen  just  in 
time  to  prevent  my  horse  stepping"  upon  it.  It  i(re\v  alone,  and 
just  above  it  was  a  red  santlstone  rock  ;  one  could  imagine  that 
the  washing-  from  this  rock  had  affected  its  coior. 

I  ha\'e  given  )'ou  only  a  portion  of  the  plant.  It  grows  no 
higher  than  rei)resente(l  in  the  painting,  but  trom  the  root  will 
c;om(;  niany  spreading  branches.  This  represents  one  branch. 
C>)n  the  whole  plant  I  counted  nine  lull  blossoms  and  thirty-three 
buds. 

The  iris,  or  fleur-de-lis,  grows  grandly  in  th(;se  mountains.  I 
selected  these  from  a  bed  that  grew  in  the  western  i)art  oi  the 
State.  Dick  told  me  of  them  and  said  there  was  a  bed  oi  them 
that  could  be  seen  ;it  a  great  distance,  so  large  was  it  and  so 
completely  covered  with  flowers.  lie  said  it  looked  irom  a  short 
distance  like  a  lovely  j)urple  carpet. 

I  rode  out  one  day  and  found  he  had  not  exaggerated  their 
b(,'auties.  Thcty  covered  at  least  an  acre  of  ground.  It  was 
damp  and  in  some  places  wet.  I  think  there  was  a  natural 
spring  in  the  midst  of  them  that  kept  them  constantly  moist,  and 
this  made  them  grow  so  large  and  rich.      I  have  often  seen  them 


WILD    F1X)\V1:RS    of    COLOKAUt).  1 9 

in  difrcrcnt  sections  of  the  State,  hut  only  in  small  heds,  and  the 
blossoms  not  as  large  as  represented. 

These  are  only  a  few  of  our  spring  flowers.  There  are 
a  great  many  varieties,  and  did  space  allow  I  should  like  to 
describe  more  of  them  to  you.  From  the  first  appearance  of  the 
anemone  we  are  never  without  flowers  until  the  last  of  October. 
One  can  always  have  in  their  rooms  a  choice  boucjuet  ot  wild 
flowers.  As  fast  as  one  variety  disappears  another  comes  to  take 
its  place. 

June  is  the  most  delightful  month  of  the  year  in  this  State. 
Wherever  grass  can  grow  there  you  will  see  flowers  of  all 
shades.  The  ride  over  the  mountains  in  this  month  is  beautiful. 
It  is  a  perfect  flower-garden  all  the  way  from  Denver  to  Salt 
Lake. 

I  saw  a  novel  siijht  last  June  as  the  train  was  cfoinc^  throuo^h 
the  canyon  of  the  Arkansas  and  along  the  river  by  that  name.  I 
saw  orowin*''  from  a  lart^e  rock  in  the  ri\er  a  bunch  ot  pink 
flowers.  It  was  at  least  thirty  feet  from  the  mountains  on  either 
side  of  it,  and  not  a  vestige  of  grass  growing  near  ;  }et  this  bunch 
of  flowers  continued  to  bloom  and  was  seen  and  admired  by 
hundreds  who  traveled  by  it. 

One  of  the  prettiest  flowers  we  ha\'e  in  June  is  the  wild  rose. 
It  grows  in  gi"eat  prolusion.  I  haxe  seen  miles  of  roses  in 
full  bloom.  They  grow  on  small  bushes  like  little  trees  along  the 
rivers,  in  the  canyon,  and  on  the  sides  of  the  mountain  ;  there 
will  be  hundretls  of  blossoms  on  one  bush.     They  are  of  a  deep 


20  WILD  FLOWERS  Ol"  COLORADO. 

pink  when  they  first  blossom,  l)ut  grow  paler  as  they  grow  older. 
They  are  the  same  as  the  wild  roses  of  the  East,  those  you 
are  familiar  with  from  your  childhood,  and  they  have  ]3ecome  so 
dear  in  your  memory  that  any  painting  I  could  give  you  would,  I 
fear,  prove  only  a  disappointment. 

Our  first  camp  was  made  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon 
of  the  day  w^c  left  Denver,  a  few  miles  from  Colorado  Springs, 
the  engineer  choosing  a  place  where  the  car  could  be  safely  side- 
tracked. As  this  was  our  first  stop,  all  seemed  anxious  to  leave 
the  car. 

The  men  had  heard  that  a  jack  rabbit  had  been  seen  to  pass 
over  this  part  of  the  country.  A  vote  was  taken,  and  it  was 
agreed  that  we  should  adtl  Mr.  Jack  Rabbit  to  our  party.  So 
while  they  had  gone  to  look  for  tracks  and  supper  was  being 
prepared,  I  took  my  materials  and  wandering  off  a  short  distance 
was  soon  at  work,  having  discovered  this  lovely  poppy — primula 
argemone  Mexicana.  Standing  quite  by  itself,  this  one  grew 
about  three  feet  high.  They  seldom  grow  any  taller,  the  common 
height  being  from  one  to  two  feet.  The  blossom  Is  very  delicate, 
being  almost  transparent,  the  center  being  a  bright  yellow.  The 
green  leaves,  as  you  see,  are  very  thick,  with  little  sharp  thorns 
growing  from  them.  They  are  very  unpleasant  to  handle,  and  on 
this  account  the  blossom  is  seldom  broken  from  the  bush. 

While  looking  at  this  prickly  poppy,  I  could  almost  hear 
it  say:  "You  may  paint  me  and  admire  me  to  your  heart's 
cont.    it,  but   I   am  safe   In  your  company,    I    am  wtH   gi'iardcd  ; 


WILD    FLOWl'US    OF   COLORADO.  21 

should  you  attempt  to  molest  me   I   will  command  my  sentinels 
to  attack  you." 

Glancin<r  up  from  my  work  I  found  I  was  not  alone,  for 
scarcely  a  dozen  feet  from  me,  sitting-  on  the  top  of  his  own  little 
house,  was  a  prairie  dog,  with  his  little  hands  raised  as  though  to 
pass  judgment  upon  me  for  trespassing  upon  his  flower-garden. 
In  a  few  minutes  he  disappeared,  but  soon  returned  with  his 
wife.  Now  I  feel  sure  it  was  his  wife,  because  of  the  irreat 
amount  of  respect  he  had  for  her  opinion  ;  for,  after  this  little 
lady  had  taken  a  good  look  at  me,  she  nodded  to  his  lordship  in 
the  most  approved  manner.  A  look  of  perfect  trust  came  over 
his  little  countenance,  and,  stepping  aside  to  allow  her  to  pass 
down  first,  they  disappeared,  apjiarently  satisfied  that  their 
grounds  would  not  be  injured  by  my  presence  upon  them. 

Returning  to  camp  I  saw  in  the  distance  what  appeared 
to  be  a  funeral  procession.  Walking  ahead  came  Dick,  loaded 
down  with  guns  and  game  bags  ;  behind  him  solemnly  strode  our 
four  friends.  They  seemed  to  be  carrying  a  heavy  load  ;  on  their 
shoulders  rested  a  long  stick,  and  depending  therefrom  were  the 
silent  remains  of  the  poor  rabbit.  What  a  noble  looking  fellow  he 
was  !  Even  at  the  height  of  the  men's  shoulders  his  ears  nearly 
touched  the  ground. 

They  continued  their  solemn  march  until  they  reached  the 
commissary  car,  and  then  with  pride  they  laid  their  trophy  down. 
"How  is  that?"  said  one.  "Oh,  he  was  a  fine  shot,"  said 
another.      "Which  one  of  you  men  fired  the  cruel  shot  that  took 


22  WILD    FLOWERS   OF    COLORADO. 

the  life  of  this  noble  fellow?"  I  iiKjuired.  "I,"  said  four  voices 
at  the  same  time.  It  reminded  me  of  the  soldier  who  was  to  be 
shot  for  neglect  of  duty.  bOur  of  his  comrades  were  detailed  to 
shoot  him.  Only  one  loaded  s^un  was  gixen,  yet  the  men  were 
In  iixnorance  as  to  which  one  held  the  fatal  shot.  So  with  this 
poor  rabbit :  while  four  murderous  weai)ons  were  ])ointed  toward 
him  it  would  be  (juite  dilficult  to  tell  which  man  had  the  right  to 
claim  the  shot. 

A  book  was  to  be  kept  while  on  this  trip,  antl  a  true  account 
of  each  man's  game  and  the  number  of  fish  caught  to  be  recorded 
every  day.  I  am  sorry  to  say  we  saw  that  evening  opposite  each 
man's  name,  "  i  Jack  Rabbit." 

We  stopped  next  at  Colorado  Springs,  driving,  of  course,  to 
Manitou.  So  much  has  been  written  of  these  two  places  that  I 
will  not  tire  you  wnth  a  description  of  them.  While  some  of  our 
party  had  gone  to  the  iron  spring,  I  made  a  sketch  of  this 
ipomcea,  or  "man  of  the  earth."  I  had  often  heard  of  this 
peculiar  plant,  and  had  a  great  desire  to  see  it.  I  had  my 
curiosity  satisfied,  for  by  digging  down  a  few  inches  I  found 
the  root  that  so  resembles  a  man's  head.  It  is  quite  as  large, 
although  unlike  in  some  respects,  this  being  quite  full  and  solid. 
The.  blossom  is  much  like  a  morning-glory,  but  more  firm  ;  the 
leaves  are  small  and  slender,  and  the  stems,  you  will  see,  are  very 
delicate.  They  go  into  the  earth  only  a  short  distance,  when  they 
become  attached  to  the  immense  root  I  have  just  described. 

I   wish   I   could  give  you  a  sketch  of  this  root,    it   Is  such 


\ 


WILD    FLOWI'RS    OF   COLORADO.  23 

a  curiosity  and  so  unlike  any  other  root  I  have  ever  seen.  They 
try  to  preserve  it  by  chyino-,  but  it  loses  its  shape,  and  when  dry 
is  not  more  than  half  the  original  size. 

Scemfr  a  pretty  path,  antl  knowino-  it  would  lead  me  to  our 
hotel,  I  took  it.  I  had  gone  but  a  short  distance  when  I  dis- 
covered that  I  was  uncier  a  perfect  bower  of  clematis  liousticifolia. 
It  was  in  full  bloom  and  I  could  break  off  wreaths  of  it  two 
and  three  yards  long.  The  blossoms  are  white,  small  and  very 
delicate,  growing  thickly  on  the  slender  stem  or  \-ine. 

The  clematis  in  this  state  grows  in  great  abundance,  and 
is  often  transplanted  into  gardens  and  b\  porches.  It  gives  a  fine 
shade  and  is  very  ornamental.  In  the  fall  it  looks  like  a  mass  of 
feathery  balls.  I  have  seen  it  also  used  as  an  ornament  in 
dressing.  Attending  a  p.;rty  at  one  of  our  leading  hotels  early 
one  fall,  a  young  lady  attracted  much  attention  by  the  artistic 
arrangement  of  what  was  supposed  to  be  little  white  feathers 
in  her  hair  and  in  the  loopings  of  her  thin  pink  dress,  'it  was 
the  prettiest  costume  in  the  room.  She  was  waltzing  near 
me,  and  one  of  the  little  feathers  dropped  from  her  dress.  Pick- 
ing it  up  to  restore  it  to  its  owner,  I  discovered  it  was  the  clematis. 
1  he  party  from  the  iron  spring  soon  returned  ;  their  carriages 
could  be  seen  at  quite  a  distance  by  the  many  bright  colors  of  the 
flowers.  Each  one  held  an  enormous  bouquet  in  his  hands. 
Even  the  dogs  had  wreaths  around  their  necks.  "Here,  we 
have  brought  you  material  enough  for  a  month  —  take  your 
choice;"    and    laying    them   down    I    was   almost    covered   with 


24  WILD    FLOWERS    OF   COLORADO. 

flowers.  They  had  spoken  the  truth,  there  was  material  enough 
for  many  months'  work,  and  looking  them  over  I  found  it  difficult 
to  make  a  choice. 

"  Here  are  some  asters  I  found  near  the  iron  spring,  will 
you  make  a  painting  of  them  for  me  ?"  "I  will  gladly  do  so,"  1 
answered,  for  they  were  a  delight  to  look  u|)()n.  They  made  me 
think  of  a  modest  little  country  maiden  dressed  in  her  Sunday 
best.  So  fresh  and  sweet,  they  looked  an  emblem  of  perfect 
innocence.  They  had  been  broken  off  close  to  the  top,  just 
as  I  have  painted  them.  This  is  a  double  one  ;  the  single  ones 
are  much  more  common.  There  is  a  great  variety  of  asters 
in  this  state.  I  have  counted  thirty  varieties  in  one  summer. 
The  plant  grows  very  tall — some  as  high  as  three  and  four  feet. 
Fhey  blossom  near  the  top  of  the  branches.  Others  grow  close 
to  the  ground  in  thick  mats,  the  stems  being  so  short  that  it 
would  be  quite  im[)ossible  to  pick  them  without  digging  them  up 
by  the  roots.  I  have  seen  lovely  bouquets  made  of  them  by 
putting  a  quantity  in  a  dish  of  wet  sand.  Thus  arranged,  they 
will  keep  fresh  and  continue  to  l)lossom  for  weeks. 

Whenever  I  see  the  aster  it  reminds  me  of  a  lox'cly  young- 
woman  I  met  in  the  mountains  last  summer.  I  wish  }()u  could 
see  her  as  I  first  saw  her.  .1  was  riding  up  one  of  the  canyons 
not  far  from  Manitou.  The  morning  was  cool  and  pleasant.  I 
was  going  up  a  path  seldom  frecjuentcd.  It  is  always  a  pleasure 
to  me  to  prospect  in  these  unfre(iuented  paths,  and  this  morning 
I  found  something  I  was  not  looking  for — a  little  cottage  snugly 


'HIST  I.  L     A-^T^lv 


WILD    I-LOWKRS    OF    COLORADO.  2$ 

built  by  the  side  of  the  mountain.  There  was  quite  a  grove 
around  it,  and  suspended  from  two  large  trees  I  saw  a  ham- 
mock ;  it  was  lined  with  a  robe  of  fur,  and  on  the  ground  and 
in  easy  rustic  chairs  were  thrown  fur  skins  of  great  value.  As  I 
advanced  a  large  Newfoundland  dog  lying  near  heralded  my 
approach.  Suddenly  springing  from  the  hammock  a  young  girl 
stood  before  me.  She  did  not  speak,  but  her  large  blue  eyes 
incjuired  the  cause  of  my  intrusion.  Slipi)ing  from  my  horse 
I  apol(\gized  for  unintentionally  alarming  her,  and,  giving  her  my 
name,  (juickly  explained  why  I  was  in  the  canyon. 

With  a  bright  smile  she  adx'anced  and  ga\'e  me  her  hand  in 
welcome,  and  soon  I  .was  seated  in  one  of  the  rustic  chairs  in 
earnest  conxnn'sation.  She  told  me  her  home  was  in  Vermont  ; 
at  the  age  of  fourteen  she  lost  her  health  and  was  rapidly  going 
into  a  decline,  wi:  :n,  as  a  last  resort,  her  aunt  brought  her  to  the 
mountains.  "Aunt  will  soon  be  here,"  she  said.  "She  has  o-one 
\\ith  our  domestic  up  the  mountain  to  bring  home  some  i)retty 
flowers  we  found  there  yesterday;"  and  then  risino-  she  said: 
"Will  you  come  and  see  my  garden  ?"  I  went  with  her  to  the 
front  o{  the  cottage,  and  there  found  growing  carefully  selected 
wild  flowers  in  great  abundance,  the  asters  predominating. 

"Oh,"  she  said  with  a  sigh,  "how  I  shall  miss  these  pretty 
little  things,  and  this  mountain  home."  "Are  you  o()ino-  to  leave 
it?"  I  incjuired.  "Yes,  I  am  (piite  well  and  strong  now,"  she 
said,  with  the  same  bright  smile  with  which  she  had  welcomed 
me.      "  We  have  spent  three  summers  here." 


26  WILD    FLOWilKS    OF   COLORADO. 

Scarcely  a  week  [)asse(l  without  ni}'  spending  a  day  with 
these  dehghtful  people.  They  became  my  companions  on  many 
a  prospecting  tour.  The  remembrance  of  days  s[)ent  in  their 
society  will  always  remain  a  bright  spot  in  life's  history. 

The  saddest  one  was  the  day  before  they  were  to  leave  their 
mountain  home.  I  had  started  early,  having  been  invited  to  break- 
fast with  them.  The  table  was  to  be  laid  out  under  the  trees, 
and  Rover,  who  had  been  informed  of  my  coming,  met  me  far 
down  the  canyon  and  proudly  escorted  mc  to  the  ladies. 

What  a  dainty  breakfast  it  was  ;  but  knowing  it  was  the  last 
in  this  pretty  home,  it  was  a  sad  one.  Each  one  of  us  smiled 
and  pretended  to  feel  very  happy.  It  was  a  relief  to  all  when  it 
was  over  and  wc  were  at  work  packing  u\)  the  treasures  that 
were  to  adorn  their  Vermont  home. 

"  Now  come  to  the  garden,"  said  my  young  friend,  "  and 
help  me  place  in  this  box  my  little  comi)anions  ;"  and  tenderly 
removing  the  asters  from  the  soft  earth  she  placed  them  in  the 
damp  sand  to  be  transplanted  to  their  P^astern  home. 

Turning  to  me  she  said  :  "Oh,  how  I  lox^e  them.  They  will 
be  a  constant  reminder  of  you  and  the  hapi)y  hours  spent  among 
these  mountains."  Since  that  time  they  have  become  my  favorite 
flowers,  and  when  I  see  them  I  can  see  the  beautiful  tearful  eyes 
saying  "  Farewell,  farewell." 

Our  stay  at  Colorado  Sj^rings  was  a  short  one.  Dick  had 
made  calls  on  all  of  the  old  hunters  within  a  mile  of  the  town,  the 
result  of  which  was  most  discouraging  as  to  game.      Not  ex'cn  a 


'^^#. 


CU^    C/^CTJi 


Wll,]-)    1'I.()\V1.:r.s    ()!■•    COLORADO,  2'] 

chipmunk  could  he  proniiscd,  so  the  second  day  wc  continued 
our  journey,  mahino-  our  second  camp  n(  far  from  Canyon  City, 
and  near  the  entrance  to  tlie  canyon  of  the  Arkansas.  Here  it 
was  decided  to  spenil  at  least  two  or  tln'ce  ckiys.  The  men  had 
been  told  before  leaving-  home  that  at  this  point  game  could  be 
had  simply  by  hunting  for  it. 

Dick  was  delighted.  I  le  knew  this  part  of  the  country  well, 
and  each  man  was  promised  more  game  than  he  could  carry  to 
camj).  "  But  you  must  behave  yourselves  well  in  these  parts," 
said  Dick.  "Just  look  over  there  to  the  right:  that  big  pile  of 
stone  is  the  State's  prison."  "C)h  no,  sir,  I've  never  been  in 
there  myself,  but  I've  had  a  friend  there."  All  i)r()mised  to  be  on 
their  best  behavior,  and  then  commenced  the  great  preparation 
for  the  first  hunt. 

1  was  delighted  at  the  prospect  of  spending  two  days  here, 
for  m  no  part  of  the  state  do  the  flowers  seem  more  beautiful. 
Those  who  have  been  so  fortunate  as  to  be  here  in  late  summer 
or  early  fall  will  remember  the  cactus.  I  have  seen  the  mountains 
scarlet  with  them.  The  first  blossoms  to  be  seen  are  those  of  the 
tree  cactus.  The  flowers  appear  on  the  extreme  ends  of  the 
branches,  and  are  very  brilliant.  The  tree  grows  on  the  side  of 
the  mountains  h-om  three  to  si.v  feet  high  ;  the  branches  are  as 
large  as  the  body  of  the  tree  and  very  irregular.  This  specimen 
I  painted  about  a  mile  from  camp. 

One  ot  the  tlogs  had  been  left  in  camp  as  a  protection  to  the 
remaining    i)art3',    and    this    fiithful    animal    had    insisted    upon 


28  WILD    FLOWERS    OF    COLORADO. 

accompanying  mc.  He  was  lying  quietly  at  my  side,  watching 
me,  first  looking  at  my  painting,  then  at  the  cactus,  with  a  look 
that  plainly  showed  him  to  be  a  critic.  At  that  moment  a  little 
squirrel  ran  a  few  feet  in  front  of  us.  The  dog's  quick  car  caught 
the  sound,  and  in  an  instant  there  was  a  leap  and  then  a  yell  most 
fearful  to  hear  ;  not  one  but  many,  for  the  poor  fellow  had  jumped 
on  a  cactus  bush  and  the  thorns  were  piercing  his  body.  I  ran 
to  his  assistance  and  helped  him  from  the  bush,  then  acting  the 
part  of  surgeon  I  pulled  from  his  legs  seven  thorns  as  long  as  pins 
and  quite  as  stiff. 

I  know  of  no  greater  punishment  to  man  or  beast  than  to  be 
thrown  upon  a  cactus  bush,  and  the  squirrel  must  have  felt  great 
satisfaction  in  seeing  his  enemy  so  severely  chastised.  Seeing 
the  dog  safe  in  camp  I  returned  and  finished  my  sketch  unpro- 
tected. My  companion  of  the  morning  had  no  desire  to  go 
with  me. 

Taking  a  different  path  back  to  camp  I  had  gone  but  a  short 
distance  when  I  discovered  this  dwarf  or  cup  cactus.  It  had 
many  companions  and  each  one  looked  like  a  miniature  flower 
bed,  so  thick  were  its  blossoms.  I  selected  this  one  for  its  perfect 
shape  and  handsome  straw-colored  flower  in  full  bloom.  IMany 
of  this  species  grow  close  to  the  ground  in  clusters  like  a  little 
family.  This  one  was  the  largest  of  the  group  and  I  looked  upon 
it  with  much  reverence,  for,  from  the  majestic  poise  of  its  beautiful 
head,  I  felt  sure  it  was  the  mother  of  the  family. 

On  reaching  camp  I  found  two  ol  oiu-  lumters  had  returned. 


WILD    1'I,0\VI:RS    OI'    COLORADO.  29 

In  following  up  some  small  <i^amc  they  had  become  lost  from  the 
rest  of  the  party,  and  it  being  their  first  trip  in  the  mountains 
they  were  afraid  to  go  further,  so  returned  for  the  dog  that  had 
been  left  in  camp.  You  can  imagine  their  annoyance  when  they 
found  the  most  valuable  dog  disabled.  The  poor  thing  looked 
almost  human  ;  each  paw  had  been  bound  up  in  solt  white  cloths 
saturated  with  Pond's  Extract.  He  was  lying  on  a  bed  made  of 
car  cushions  and  blankets.  One  of  the  men  had  shot  a  scjuirrel, 
on  his  way  in,  that  strongly  resembled  the  one  that  had  gixer.  the 
dog  so  much  pain.  A  look  of  pleasiu'e  came  o\er  lus  lace  when 
it  was  held  up  l)efore  his  eyes  ;  but  while  it  ma}'  ha\e  belonged 
to  the  same  family,  I  am  confident  our  scjuirrel  of  the  morning 
episode  was  too  cunning  to  be  caught. 

During  the  two  days  spent  at  this  camp  the  men  brought  in 
some  small  game.  Thev  seemed  disai)pointed.  I  ha\'e  no  doubt 
each  man  expected  to  bring  home  his  elk,  deer,  and  buffalo  ; 
but  as  nothing  larger  than  a  wild  goose  had  been  found,  they 
decided  to  mo\e  on. 

Dick  looked  a  little  crestfallen.  He  had  had  great  expecta- 
tions of  this  place,  and  with  a  sigh  said:  "It  must  be  too  early 
in  the  season." 

Our  third  stop  was  made  at  a  beautiful  little  town  in  the 
very  heart  (^f  the  mountains,  called  Salida.  Great  was  our 
suri)rise  when  it  first  came  within  sight.  Its  situation  is  most 
picturcs(jue,  being  on  a  plateau  completely  surrounded  by  mount- 
ains.   One  naturally  asks  :    "  How  can  we  get  out  ?"    We  are  told 


30  WILD  I'L()\vi:rs  of  Colorado. 

that  in  order  to  do  so  \vc  must  climh  the  mountains  to  the  west. 
And  this  is  true,  as  we  soon  discoxered. 

At  the  station  we  found  such  a  prett)'  little  hotel  that  we 
decided  to  leave  the  car  and  spend  the  niu^ht  in  it,  and  great 
was  our  delii^ht  when  we  discovered  that  here  we  could  hax'c 
every  luxury — even  to  a  good  bath-room  with  jilenty  of  hot  water. 
In  the  rear  of  the  house  runs  the  Arkansas  ri\'er.  It  is  swift  and 
deej).  Dick  said  he  had  been  told  on  good  authority  that  one 
could  sit  in  his  room  and  fish  for  speckled  trout  out  of  the 
window.      But  this  I  do  not  give  as  authentic. 

After  supper  we  went  ovcv  in  town  for  a  walk,  and  s(K)n 
found  ourselves  on  the  main  street,  which  runs  through  the 
center  of  the  town.  On  each  side  of  the  street  were  every 
variety  of  shops,  and  every  thing  to  attract  the  miner  and 
his  money. 

The  walk  was  so  pleasant  that  we  decided  to  continue  it 
to  the  foot-hills  at  the  end  of  the  straight  street,  they  looked 
so  near ;  but  after  walkin<»:  for  more  than  an  hour  they  seemed  no 
nearer  to  us  than  when  we  had  started.  While  hesitating  about 
going  further,  a  boy  passed  us  drix'ing  home  cows.  One  of 
our  party  asked  him  if  he  would  tell  us  h(nv  far  it  was  to  the 
foot-hills.  "Oh,  I  reckon  it  is  an\'  where  from  eight  to  a  dozen 
miles,"  he  said.  We  were  glad  Dick  was  not  with  us  to  laugh  at 
our  ignorance  of  distances.  P)ut  it  was  not  strange  that  we 
should  have  made  this  mistake,  as  distance  in  the  mountains 
is  very  deceiving.      Mountains  that  stand  out  so  distinctU'  that 


WILD    I'I,()\VI;k.S   of    COLORADO.  3  I 

one  can  almost  sec  the  trees  upon  them,  will  he  miles  and  miles 
awav. 

Guides  have  much  amusement  in  asking;  tourists  how  far 
distant  is  such  and  such  a  mountain,  and  then  astonishing-  the 
person  hy  saying — any  number  of  miles  less  than  a  thousand. 

After  interviewing-  the  hoy  with  the  cows  we  retraced  our 
steps,  and  just  before  reaching  the  bridge  we  saw  (juite  a  crowd 
arou'.-.il  a  large  farm  wagon  in  the  midtUe  of  the  street.  The 
farmer,  with  one  hand  holding  the  reins,  was  standing,  and 
seemed  to  be  relatini);  some  wonderful  incident  to  the  crowd.  As 
we  wished  to  sec  and  hear  what  seen-ied  to  be  an  unusual  occur- 
rence, we  went  up  to  the  wagon.  It  was  a  sight  rarely  seen,  even 
in  this  section.  There,  stretched  at  full  length,  lay  a  mountain 
lion — dead.  He  was  a  grand  looking  fellow.  His  length,  from 
tip  of  nose  to  the  end  of  tail,  was  just  the  length  of  the  wagon. 
We  inquired  of  the  farmer  how  he  had  killed  him,  as  there 
seemed  to  be  no  indications  of  firearms  used.  "How  did  I 
kill  him  ?  W'ith  this  very  club,"  and  he  held  up  a  stout  stick  about 
three  feet  long.  "  I  was  walking  on  the  side  of  the  mountain 
near  my  ranch  when  I  met  the  l)east.  I  had  not  heard  a  sound, 
but  as  I  looked  u])  I  saw  him  standing  plump  before  me.  He 
did  not  look  uglv,  but  astonished,  and  I  believe  I  was  as  much 
of  a  curiosity  to  him  as  he  was  to  me.  I  didn't  take  long  to 
think  about  it,  though,  and  raising  my  club  with  all  the  strength 
I  had,  I  hit  hin-i  square  on  the  top  of  his  head.  It  stunned  him, 
and  before  he  had  tune  to  come  to,  I  finrshed  him  with  this,"  and 


32  WILD    TLOWERS   OF    COLORADO. 

the  farmer  touched  his  belt  from  which  hung  a  sheath  that  con- 
tained a  dangerous  weapon. 

Lookinii^  from  mv  window  the  next  morninii^  I  saw  an  enijine 
comin«>;  in  from  the  west.  The  cowcatcher  was  a  blaze  of  HHit. 
It  was  the  most  brilHant  thin^"  I  had  ever  seen.  As  it  came 
near  I  (hscovercd  it  was  the  cactus  ;  some  artistic  hand  had 
placed  them  upon  die  engine.  It  stopped  in  front  of  the  house 
and  we  all  went  down  to  see  them.  I  asked  the  engineer  if 
he  would  "give  one  a  stop-over  check;  I  would  like  to  paint  its 
portrait."  lie  selected  one  and  ga\'e  me.  I  disliked  to  see 
even  one  disturbed,  they  looked  so  bright  and  happy.  I  could 
almost  hear  them  say:  "We  are  on  a  little  trip,  and  we  have 
a  pass  for  the  whole  party." 

I  have  given  you  only  three  varieties  of  cactus,  but  there 
are  many  more.  They  blossom  on  tl  mountains  from  July  to 
the  last  of  September.  Hundreds  of  plants  are  taken  away 
every  summer  by  tourists  to  be  transplanted  to  a  foreign  soil. 

On  the  second  day  we  drove  o\-er  to  Poncha  Sprinrs,  a  little 
town  five  miles  west  of  vSalida.  During  the  drive  we  passed  many 
fine  ranches.  One  especially  attracted  our  attention.  Tlic  house 
was  built  after  the  I^nglish  st3'le,  and  was  reacucd  from  the  main 
road  by  little  l^ridges  that  crossed  the  south  fork  of  the  Arkansas 
river.  The  soft-eyed  Jersey  antl  her  six-monihs'  old  daughter 
stood  near  the  lane  as  we  passed,  and  seemed  disappointed  that 
we  did  not  enter. 

On  reaching  the  village  we  drove  at  once  u\)  the  mountain 


G  '  I,  !  A 


WILD    FI.OWHRS    OF    COLORADO.  33 

to  see  the  hot  sprinos  that — "Well,  sir,  they  will  bile  'n  egg  in 
five  minutes."  And  sure  enough,  there  they  were,  steaming  hot 
and  constantly  boiling.  One  wondered  how  long  they  had  been 
so,  what  made  them  so,  and  how  long  they  would  continue  to  boil. 
The  ground  around  us  seemed  actually  hot,  and  the  men  ot  our 
party,  the  pockets  of  whose  hunting  jackets  were  filled  with 
every  thing  that  \\'ould  "go  off,"  decided  that  they  were  safer 
a  little  further  down  the  niountain.  Part  of  the  party  wanted 
to  trv  the  hot  baths,  and  left  us  for  the  bath  house.  I'he  rest, 
prospecting  among  the  rocks,  reported  having  seen  thirty-eight 
hot  sprmgs. 

Growing  close  by  one  of  the  smaller  si)rings  I  found  this 
knight's-plume.  I  tlo  not  think  it  )'et  possesses  a  botanical  name. 
1  ha\'c  not  been  al)le  to  find  one.  It  is  not  a  common  fiower  in 
this  State,  and  I  ha\-e  only  seen  this  one  color — lax'cnder.  It 
grows  from  two  to  three  feet  high,  and  horn  one  root  will  spring 
either  five,  seven,  or  nine  stalks,  cox'ered  with  a  fine  feathery 
blossom  which  so  resembles  a  plume.  It  blossoms  from  the 
latter  part  of  August  until  October. 

One  of  the  attendants  at  the  springs  told  me  of  a  xery  rare 
fiower  he  had  fi)und  two  or  three  da)s  before,  and  had  in  a  \'ase 
in  his  room.  Expressing  a  wish  to  see  it  he  brought  it  to  me, 
and  I  discox'cred  it  to  be  a  wild  orchid.  The  blossom  was  about 
the  size  of  a  siK'cr  dollar,  and  it  had  the  rich  brown  markings  so 
peculiar  to  the  orchid.  I  regretted  exceedingly  that  it  had  been 
broken  from  the  plant  so  long  that  a  correct  [)ainting  could  not  be 


34  WILD    I'LOWI'RS    OF   COLORADO. 

given   of  it.      It   would   have   made   a   valuable   addition   to   my 
collection. 

Our  drive  back  to  Salida  was  a  deliirhtful  one  ;  the  settinir 
sun  threw  lovely  tinted  shadows  on  the  mountains  and  the  road- 
side looked  like  a  flower  garden  because  of  the  hundreds  of  prim- 
roses in  full  bloom. 

It  was  with  some  regret  that  we  left  the  hotel  and  again  took 
up  our  quarters  in  the  car ;  but  as  we  expected  to  start  \Try  early 
in  the  morning  Dick  advised  our  moving  in  the  night  before. 
We  had  gotten  fairly  settled  when  a  rap  was  heard  on  the  car 
door,  and  on  being  answered,  the  farmer  whom  we  had  met  the 
day  before  came  in.  He  said  he  had  heard  that  we  not  only 
traveled  in  the  can  but  ate  and  slept  there  also,  and  he  had  a 
great  curiosity  to  see  it.  He  was  shown  the  arrangements  of  the 
berths,  ready  for  the  night,  the  miniature  kitchen  and  all  of  its 
appointments,  the  little  tables  used  ;  and  Dick,  with  much  pride, 
arranged  a  dainty  lunch  upon  one  for  him. 

We  found  him  a  very  intellioent  and  interestinij  man.  He 
told  us  about  the  ranch  he  had  "taken  up"  some  eight  years  ago. 
His  home  had  been  in  Iowa,  and  the  second  )ear  after  his  mar- 
riage he  and  his  wife  came  to  Colorado.  "We  traveled  quite 
differently  from  this,"  he  said  ;  "and  yet  when  we  left  home 
father  thought  we  had  a  ^ood  start.  Wc  came  in  our  own 
wagons,  and  had  good  horses.  It  took  us  two  weeks  and  four 
days  to  make  the  trip.  A  neighbor's  son  came  out  here  the  year 
before,  and  so  we  knew  just  how  to  come.      We  ha\e  a  nice  place 


WILD    FI.()\VI:rs    of   COLORADO.  35 

now,"  and  \vavin.«r  his  hand  with  a  httlc  proud  gesture  said, 
"I  would  Hke  to  have  you  all  come  and  sec  it."  Just  before 
leaving  he  presented  the  mountain  lion,  we  had  all  so  much 
admired,  to  the  party.  It  was  immediately  accepted,  and  Dick 
commenced  at  once  to  pack  it  so  it  could  be  sent  the  following 
day  by  express  to  a  taxidermist  living  at  Denver. 

The  next  day  was  a  l.^eautiful  one  ;  surely  the  climate  in  this 
part  of  the  State  is  perfect.  We  commenced  climbing  from 
the  very  start.  Up,  up,  we  went,  turning  numberless  "horse- 
shoes," each  one  higher  than  the  last,  until  we  reached  the 
summit,  or  Marshall  Pass.  The  grandeur  of  this  spot  and  the 
view  from  it  are  far  beyond  any  possible  description  of  mine. 
Snow  sheds  cover  the  track  at  this  point,  but  large  openings 
are  made  on  the  side,  and  one  has  before  him  a  view  that 
for  height  or  grandeur  would  be  difficult  to  surjjass  in  this  or 
any  other  country. 

We  made  a  very  short  stop  here,  but  Dick  found  time  to  dig 
up  for  me  this  fine  Gilia.  The  pass  was  red  with  them.  I 
think  them  the  most  gracefid  of  the  wikl  flowers.  As  they 
arc  approached  they  seem  to  move  from  you  and  to  beckon  you 
on  with  their  constantly  swaying  motion.  The  stems,  as  you 
see,  are  \'ery  slender,  and  often  run  up  to  a  height  of  two  feet.  I 
have  counted  forty  blossoms  on  one  stem.  The  blossom  much 
resembles  the  cypress,  and  the  Gilia  is  often  called  standing 
cypress. 

Our  ride  down  Mai-shall  Pass  was  an  excitino"  one.      Down, 


36  WILD    FL0W1':RS    of    COLORADO. 

down,  we  went  so  fast  that  I  felt  mdch  as  the  school-boy  docs  on 
his  sled  with  a  o-ood  long  icy  hill  before  him  :  "Look  out  there, 
boys,  I'm  coming  !  " 

I  forgot  to  say  that  when  we  left  Denver  our  destination 
was  Cimarron.  The  reputation  that  i)lace  was  beginning  to  have 
for  hunting  and  fishing  decided  the  men.  It  was  a  run  of  four 
hours  from  Marshall  Pass,  and  we  arrix'ed  there  in  time  for  a 
good  dinner.  We  side-tracked  the  car  and  made  preparations 
for  remaining  the  rest  of  the  thirty  days.  Cimarron  is  a  grand 
place.  It  is  at  the  head  of  the  Black  Canyon.  A  wilder  spot 
could  not  be  imagined.  There  is  little  in  the  way  of  buildings, 
aside  from  the  hotel  and  railroad  houses,  and  as  for  "turnouts," 
it  boasts  of  one  good  mountain-wagon  and  a  team  of  horses  that 
are  faithful  and  sure — not  to  run  away. 

The  owner  of  this  outfit,  Mr.  Smith,  is  as  "sure"  as  his 
horses,  and  never  yet  has  he  allowed  any  giddy  young  man  to 
take  the  reins.  On  our  arrival  we  were  informed  that  if  we 
wanted  the  services  of  Mr.  Smith  we  must  enoaiic  him  at  once, 
as  he  and  his  "rig"  were  in  demand.  Dick,  accompanied  by  the 
men,  started  at  once  to  find  the  leading  man  of  the  place. 

As  we  entered  CimarnMi  I  had  seen  something  purple  across 
the  river  from  the  car  window.  So,  taking  my  box  and  stool, 
I  went  in  search  of  it.  After  a  short  walk  I  found  a  foot-bridue. 
Crossing  over  I  was  well  rewarded,  for  the  "something  purple" 
was  a  fine  bunch  of  Gentian.  I  selected  this  one  from  the  wealth 
of  flowers  on  the  one  stalk.     You  will  observe  that  I  have  driven 


•i^      m^ 


'")***•        ftiir- 


rtui' 


WILD    I'LOWI'.RS    OI--    COLORAIXI.  3/ 

a  portion  of  the  root.      It  grows  no  higher  here  than  represented 
in  the  painting. 

The  gentian  will  he  more  familiar  to  lo\-crs  of  wild  flower.^ 
than  any  of  the  others  I  may  ha\e  gix'en  )-()U.  It  is  [he  fuorite 
wiltl  flower  of  the  East.  Here  the  blossoms  are  larger  and  richer 
in  color,  blossoming  much  closer  to  the  stalk,  the  stalk  itself  being 
much  thicker  than  the  gentian  of  the  New  England  states. 

This  flower  always  reminds  me  of  a  little  storx-  I  read  \-ears 
ai^o  when  I  was  a  child,  of  a  kins>"  who  loved  little  children  so 
well  that  when  they  canie  to  see  hnn  he  j)resented  theni  with 
a  flc^wer  called  the  gentian,  and  told  them  to  follow  the  twample 
of  the  flower  by  looking  up  to  heax'en  for  beauty  ot  lace  and  char- 
acter. For  years  after  when  I  found  the  gentian  I  thought  of  the 
good  king  and  his  advice  and  naturally  U)oked  up,  hoping  that  b\' 
doing  so  I  would  receive  the  promised  reward. 

I  had  nex'cr  heard  a  common  name  gix'cn  to  this  flower,  but, 
as  I  was  returninii"  to  cami),  I  met  a  little  idrl,  dauiihter  of  one 
of  the  natives.  *' Little  girl,"  I  said,  "will  )'()U  tell  me  the  name 
of  this  flower?"  showing  her  my  sketch.  " 'J'hat  ?  Oh,  )es'm, 
it's  burro's  lily."  "Why  is  it  called  burro's  lil)-?"  I  asked. 
"'Cause  the  i)urros  nex'er  hurt  it,  but  munch  all  round  it,  like 
as  if  they  lo^'cd  it.  S'pose  they  do,  and  that's  wh}'  folks  call 
it  that." 

I  knew  before  I  had  reached  camp  that  something  [)leasant 
had  happened.  I  coidd  see  Dick  in  the  distance,  and  it  was 
a  face  brim  full  of  pleasure  that  met  me  to  tell  me  the  good  nc^ws. 


3^  WILD  1'Lo\vi:rs  of  Colorado. 

The  outfit  had  been  secured  for  the  next  day,  and  we  .vere  all  to 
i>-o  on  a  fishini)-  excursion. 

You  know  the  old,  old  story  of  getting  ready  for  a  day's 
fishing  ?  iMi-st  we  must  all  he  up  l)y  five  o'clock,  take  breakfast 
at  half-past,  and  be  all  ready  to  start  at  six.  These  were  the 
orders  received  the  night  before.  I  know  that  we  were  calletl  at 
five  o'clock,  but  it  was  seven  before  all  had  finished  their  breakfast. 
Then  the  rods,  flies,  baskets  for  the  fish,  and,  niost  important 
of  all,  the  lunch,  must  be  got  ready.  \Vc  prepare  the  lunch,  aiid 
know  that  that  part  of  the  work  is  well  done,  when  we  are  asked  : 
"Did  we  have  the  salt  and  pepper?"  We  are  afraid  we  have 
forgotten  the  salt,  and  so  the  basket  is  unpacked,  this  time 
spreading  the  contents  for  a  grand  re\-iew.  At  last  we  are  con- 
fident that  nothing  is  f)rgotten  and  we  are  ready  to  start.  It  is 
now  just  nine  o'clock. 

The  driver  has  the  spring  seat,  and  we— the  bottom  of 
the  wagon.  Of  course  there  is  plenty  of  straw,  and  we  are 
packed  in  according  to— Smith.  The  horses  spring  f  )rward,  and 
one  feels  like  offering  assistance  to  the  driver.  But  we  soon  dis- 
cover that  it  is  unnecessary ;  the  spring  is  over  and  put  carefully 
away  for  the  next  party. 

It  was  a  drive  long  to  be  rcmeml^ered.  If  there  was  a  stone 
missed  on  that  trip  it  was  through  no  fault  of  the  drix'cr,  and  I, 
who  sat  directly  over  the  back  axle,  can  bear  witness  that  none 
escaped. 

This  part  of  the  country  being  new  to   Dick  he  was  very 


WILD    FL0\VI:RS    of    COLORADO.  ](.) 

quiet,   hut   listened   attentively   to   all    Mr.   Smith's  descriptions, 
storing"  them  carefully  away  for  future  use. 

The  road  follows  closely  the  Cimarron  rlx'er.  It  is  a  pretty 
stream,  the  water  clear  as  crystal  but  very  swift,  making  hundreds 
of  little  waterfalls  as  it  ruslies  on  its  way  to  join  the  grand 
Arkansas. 

We  had  reached  the  summit  of  a  long  hill,  when  Mr.  Smith, 
turning  to  us  said  :  "  Do  you  see  that  long  log  house  yonder,  off 
to  the  right,  there  ?  Well,  that  is  the  place  where  the  Meeker 
women  were  secreted  ;  and  to  save  their  lives  and  the  lives  of 
many  others,  poor  young  Jackson  was  gi\'en  up  to  the  Indians  from 
th:  t  very  house."  By  this  time  we  had  reached  the  place.  It  is 
a  one-story  log  house,  having  the  appearance  of  rooms  being 
added  from  time  to  time  until  the  house  and  stables  have  become 
close  neighl)ors.  It  is  deserted  now,  and  rapidly  going  to  decay. 
At  one  time,  before  the  railroad  ran  through  this  j)art  of  the 
country,  it  was  an  im[)ortant  stage  station. 

The  place,  to  me,  who  a  few  \ears  ago  had  read  of  these 
women  and  the  mart}-r  death  of  Jackson,  ^\•as  siu-rounded  w  ith 
interest  ;  and  I  could  picture  those  hcli)less  women  (leeinu-  there 
for  protection. 

Growing  near  the  house  I  found  this  bunch  of  golden  asters. 
I  have  given  you  only  the  top  of  the  branches.  Thex'  flower,  as 
you  see,  on  the  extreme  end.  This  launch  grew  very  tall,  three 
feet  high,  I  should  think.     The  leaxes  are  small  and  slender. 

While   I   was  making   my  sketch,   the   party  alighted,   and, 


40  wii.n  I'L()\vi;ks  oI'-  Colorado. 

(Tointj;  throu<']i  the  dcscrtccl  huildinos,  were  interested  In  readinir 
the  many  inscriptions  written  on  the  loos.  The  names  of  Jackson 
and  Meeker  were  cut  in  a  consiMcuous  pLace,  but  I  do  not  tiiink 
they  were  placed  there  by  the  owners  of  the  names.  They  had 
little  desire  to  lea\'e  their  autographs,  even  in  this  secluded  spot. 

About  a  mile  from  the  old  loi>-  house  the  men  decided  to 
camp.  It  was  a  pretty  spot  just  at  the  bend  of  the  ri\'er  and 
under  some  hne  old  trees.  The  driver  assured  them  it  was 
the  \'ery  place  where  he  had  caught  forty-fix'c  as  fine  speckled 
trout  as  he  had  ever  seen.  This  was  enough,  and  in  a  remarkably 
short  time  we  saw  our  four  triends  each  with  a  rod  over  his 
shoulder  and  a  fish-basket  in  his  hand,  going  in  different  direc- 
tions toward  the  ri\er.  They  did  not  seem  to  care  for  the 
company  of  each  other,  and  we  ladies  were  entirely  forgotten. 

"  Let  'em  go,"  said  Mr.  Smith,  with  a  knowing  smile  ;  "me 
and  Dick  11  gix'e  'em  a  surprise.  I  know  a  spot  where  we  can 
get  enough  tor  dinner  by  the  time  you  have  the  coffee  made  and 
the  table  sot." 

While  the  drix'er  had  been  taking  care  ot  his  horses,  Dick 
had  built  with  some  stones  a  little  fireplace  and  on  them  i)laced 
the  coffee-pot  filled  with  good  spring  water,  read)'  for  boiling. 
We  started  the  fire,  and  then  selecting  a  grassy  spot  we  laid  the 
cloth  and  unpacked  the  basket.  A  monument  of  hard  boiled 
eggs  adorned  the  center  of  the  table,  supported  on  each  side 
by  plates  of  sandwiches,  fresh  and  delicious  to  look  upon.  Then 
came  the  plate  of  cold  roast  "fall"  chicken,  cut  in  [)ieccs  just 


WILD    FLOWHRS    OF    COLORADO.  4 1 

large  cno'.ioh  to  hold  in  the  finoers.  The  pickles  were  con- 
spicuous, each  man  havino-  contributed  a  bottle,  and  so  we  placed 
then'  upon  the  four  corners  of  the  cloth  to  act  in  a  double 
capacity — to  hold  the  table-cloth  down,  and  to  indicate  to  each 
man  that  he  was  to  sit  op[)osite  his  own  bottle. 

While  waiting  for  the  trout  I  made  a  study  of  these  lavender 
asters.  They  grow  close  to  the  ground,  and  are  often  called 
the  spider  aster.  I  have  seen  but  the  two  colors,  white  and 
lavender.  It  flowers  late  in  the  fall,  and  makes  its  appearance  as 
early  as  June. 

The  water  had  just  commenced  boiling  when  Dick  and  his 
companion  were  seen  in  the  distance.  They  held  u[)  a  shining 
string"  of  fish.  I  wish  vou  could  ha\'e  seen  the  nine  beautilul 
trout  they  had  caught.  Ihey  at  once  commenced  preparmg 
them  for  cooking.  Dick  prided  himself  on  his  cooking,  and 
always  carried  with  hiin  on  his  trips  his  little  box  of  cooking 
utensils.  "  Oh,  these  are  beauties,"  he  said,  as  he  placed  the 
pan  offish  over  the  fire,  "four  of  them  fill  the  pan  completely. 
We  had  better  blow  the  horn  for  the  fishermen  to  come  to  dinner, 
and  they  can  see  them  before  they  shrink  in  the  cooking." 

The  horn  was  promptly  answered.  They  came,  each  man 
carrying  his  basket  as  though  it  was  hea\'y,  but  quickly  dropped 
their  baskets  when  they  saw  the  pan  of  fish  and  stood  in  silence 
while  Dick  told  them  of  the  spot  and  t)romiscd  to  take  them  there 
as  soon  as  all  had  finished  dinner. 

To  say  that  the  lunch  was  good  would  but  poorly  express  it. 


42  WILD    I'l.OWKRS    OF    COLORADO. 

"  Oh,"  said  one  of  the  men,  "  I  have  attended  many  banquets 
and  dinner-parties,  ])ut  I  have  ne\er  enjoyed  one  as  much  as 
this,"  and  helping-  himself  to  another  piece  of  trout  and  the  last 
boiled  egg,  he  was  oblivious  to  e\ery  thing  arountl  liim. 

While  Dick  had  gone  to  show  the  ])lace  in  tlie  river  that  had 
furnished  the  trout  for  dinner,  ]\Ir.  Smith  offered  to  take  the 
ladies  for  a  drive,  and,  it  we  liked,  he  would  show  us  the  place 
where  they  killed  Jackson.  "It  was  only  a  mile  or  two  away," 
he  said. 

A  more  lonely,  desolate  looking  place  would  be  hard  to 
imagine.  A  few  feet  from  the  spot  where  the  Indians  did  their 
cruel  work  grew,  like  a  living  monument,  this  e})ilobiimi,  or 
butterfly-flower.  I  begged  the  [)arty  to  wait  antl  allow  me  to 
make  a  painting  of  it  as  a  souvenir  of  the  lonely  place  v.hich 
history  has  niade  famous.  The  epilol^ium  is  a  common  flov  jr  in 
this  State.  It  grows  sometimes  three  and  loin-  feet  high.  The 
leaves  are  lart^e  and  rank.      It  flowers  from  Au<>'ust  until  late  fall. 

All  pronounced  the  day  a  success.  We  reached  camj)  at 
Cimarron  just  before  dark.  1  he  little  account  book  was  brought 
out,  and  a  flattering  number  of  flsh  caught  was  placed  before  each 
man's  name. 

Arising  very  early  one  mornmg  I  decided  to  take  a  cup 
of  coffee  and  tlien  go  into  the  Black  Canyon  and  make  a  sketch 
of  some  thimble  blossoms  I  had  seen  growing  there.  The  morn- 
ing was  beautiful.  The  canyon  looked  more  grand  to  rne  in  the 
early  morning  light  than  at   any  time    l^efore.      The    mountains 


fni.N1i-iW    jji\'Ll',,M 


WILD    IL()\V1:KS    Ol'   COLORADO.  43 

looked  hit^hcr  and  the  rushlni^  rl\'cr  deeper.  In  spots  where  the 
sun  would  strike  the  rocks  you  could  see  all  the  colors  that  come 
from  the  mineral,  and  I  could  well  ai)preciate  the  name  of 
Colorado  i^iven  to  this  state.  I  think  the  hour  spent  in  makini^ 
this  study  was  the  most  peaceful  in  my  memory.  Constantl)'  the 
words  of  that  beautiful  h)'mn  would  come  to  me  :  "  Peace  on 
earth,  i^ood  will  toward  men  ;"  and  the  rushinu^  rix'cr  below,  with 
its  musical  echo,  seemed  to  be  playini^  the  accompaniment. 

I  was  much  interested  in  my  study.  It  is  a  flower  that 
seems  to  hold  itself  above  the  others  in  its  bold  and  di<>"nified 
bearing.  I  have  heard  it  called  the  "drum  major,"  from  the 
resemblance  the  disk  or  fleshy  expansion  has  to  the  tall  fur  hat 
that  so  proudly  adorns  the  head  of  that  important  personage. 
The  i)lant  grows  on  the  side  of  the  mountains  and  near  running 
water,  varying  in  height  froni  one  to  fi\'e  feet.  It  has  some 
resemblance  to  the  wild  coreo[)sis  of  the  East. 

I  had  nearly  finished  my  work  when  I  saw  men  coming  into 
the  canyon  ;  a  bridge  had  been  weakened  by  the  rising  of  the 
river,  and  they  were  on  their  way  to  repair  it.  Suddenly  they 
turned  and  ran  in  the  direction  of  their  tents,  but  soon  rc-appcared 
with  guns.  Looking  up  the  canyon  I  discovered  the  cause  of 
their  excitement.  A  beautiful  deer  had  come  into  the  canyon  for 
water,  and  seeing  the  men  it  tried  to  escape  l.»y  climbing  up  the 
side  of  the  gorge.  About  thirty  feet  from  the  to[)  of  the  mountain 
the  rocks  projected.  On  the  ledge  stood  the  graceful  animal, 
looking  first  at  the  men    hurrying  toward    him,  then  up  at  the 


44  WILD  ii.()\vi:rs  ok  Colorado. 

|)cr[)ciKliciilar  wall  al)()\c.  lie  seemed  to  uiKlerstaiid  that  there 
was  no  escape  ;  to  go  higher  was  im[)ossil)le,  to  stay  where  he 
was  or  to  descend  was  certain  death,  for  alread}'  the  men  were 
within  shooting  distance.  lie  hesitated  hut  a  moment,  then 
looking  up  as  though  to  ask  forgiveness  for  past  sins  and  the  one 
about  to  be  committed,  he  gave  a  fearful  leap  into  the  chasm, 
falling  on  his  head  and  dying  instantly.  It  was  e\'idently  a 
suicide.  An  old  fellow  near  me  remarked:  "A  downright 
shame  to  cheat  us  all  out  of  a  fine  shot  and  a  good  dinner," 
for  venison,  c-'MI  in  the  mountains,  is  considered  a  luxury  this 
early  in  the  fall. 

I  went  near  to  look  at  the  deer.  He  had  a  splendid  set  of 
antlers.  I  asked  the  men  if  they  would  give  his  head  to  me. 
"Why,  yes,  mum;  it  belongs  to  you  as  much  as  to  any  on  us:  w^e 
all  see  him  first."  Sending  for  Dick,  who  had  cjuite  a  reputation 
as  a  taxidermist,  we  secured  the  head  (which  now  adorns  my 
studio),  and  in  triumph  walked  into  camp.  "Where  did  you  get 
it  ?"  "Are  there  any  more  ?"  "  Did  you  shoot  it  ?"  were  a  few 
of  the  questions  asked  me.  I  told  them  if  they  would  promise  to 
give  me  the  credit  t)f  securing  "the  first  antlers  of  the  hunt,"  I 
would  tell  them  the  truth.  They  promised,  and  the  story  was 
soon  told,  the  result  of  which  was  that  each  man  vowed  he  would 
get  up  by  sunrise  every  morning,  go  into  the  canyon,  and  watch 
for  deer. 

The  castclleia  grows  here  in  great  abundance,  and  is,  perhaps, 
better  remembered  than  any  of  the  wild  flowers.     Children  pick 


TAIRV-  Lily 


WILD    I'LOWMkS    Ol-    COI.ORAIK).  45 

them  and,  arrangini^  them  in  ])()U(iucts,  sell  them  to  passengers 
on  the  through  trains  at  the  stations.  I  ha\'e  seen  l)ou(|uets 
bought  in  Marshall  Pass  remain  fresh,  \)y  being  plaeed  in  water, 
until  they  reached  Chicago.  The  common  name  is  "  painter's 
brush,"  l)ut  it  has  many  others.  The  Indians  call  it  "bloods- 
nose,"  from  its  bright  red  color,  I  ha\e  also  seen  it  in  )cllow, 
pink  and  flesh  tints.  It  grows  to  the  height  of  eight  and  ten 
inches,  but  the  common  h.eight  is  shown  in  the  study  gix'cn. 
It  grows  e\'ery where,  on  the  mountains  and  in  the  \-alleys.  It 
seems  to  have  no  choice  t)t  location. 

I  found  this  buncli  al)out  a  half  mile  from  cam]),  and  was 
working  diligently  upon  it  with  the  hope  of  finishing  it  before 
dark,  when  a  shadow  suddenly  coxered  my  paper.  Looking  up 
I  saw  standing  near  me  an  old  man.  "  Paintin',  be  )er?" 
"Well,  yes,"  I  said.  "IIow^  do  you  like  it?"  and  I  held  it 
up  for  his  inspection.  "Well,  it  looks  mighty  putty,  Init  don't 
waste  your  time  making  a  pictur'  of  blood)'-nose.  Missus,  if  that  is 
w'at  yc  are  in  these  parts  for.  I  will  take  yer  to  a  ])lace  up  on 
the  mountains  where  a  flower  grows  that  beats  all  the  rest  on  'em. 
It  grows  in  one  spot  every  year,  and  Sunday,  when  I  was  up 
there,  I  sec  the  w^hole  familv  rigged  out  to  kill."  "The  iamil}- ?" 
I  asked.  "Yes,  the  flowers,  ye  know;  ne\'er  see  'em  rigged  out 
so  fine  before."  "  I  would  consider  it  a  great  lax'or  it  )'ou  would 
introduce  me  to  this  finely  dressed  family,"  I  said.  "Oh,  no 
favor,  mum.  I'm  going  up  the -mountain  by  daylight  in  the 
morning  to  hunt   up  a  stray  cow      been   gone    now    nigh    on    a 


46  wii.i)  1'1,()\vi:rs  of  Colorado. 

week — and  I'll  just  i^et  tin:  whole  hunch,  as  I  come  hack,  and 
hrino-  'em  U)  \()U."  "Oh,  no,"  I  said,  "I  could  not  think  of 
hreakini;"  u[)  so  interesting"  a  famil\- ;  Kt  nie  i^o  with  you,  and 
I  will  pay  them  a  \isit  at  their  own  home."  "W'ell,  well,"  he 
said,  "  just  as  )()u  say,  hut  it  is  mighty  hi.L;h  and  roui;]!,  yet  ye  do 
look  run;i;"e(l.  Ye  can  ha\e  Betsey's  old  shoes  ;  them  thin  things 
of  vourn  would  he  left  on  the  wa\'  ni  little  hits:  mountains  ain't 
no  L;()od  place  for  them  kind  ot  shoes."  I  told  him  I  owned  a 
pair  ot  mountain  shoes  and  would  surely  wear  them  on  our  trip,  if 
he  would  allow  me  to  ^o  with  him.  "Yes,  yes,  i;lad  to  take 
yer;"  and  exten(hn<4"  his  hand  he  said:   "Ciood-l)\"  till  morning." 

TLarly  the  next  morning-  I  started  with  this  kind  old  man, 
who,  no  matter  how  roui^h  in  (h"ess  and  speech,  had  a  loxe  for  the 
heautiful,  and  for  years  hail  watched  this  lovely  ik)wer  hloom  on 
the  mountains. 

In  less  than  an  hour  after  we  left  the  cabin  I  was  presented 
to  the  family  which  he  had  so  highly  praisech  and  proud  he 
was  when  he  saw  my  delight.  Around  the  Bowers  h)r  the  space 
of  several  feet  the  grass  was  free  from  weeds  and  had  the  appear- 
ance of  being  recently  cut.  I  iiKjuired  why  this  was  so.  "  Oh," 
he  said,  "  I  cut  it  the  last  time  I  was  up  here.  I  all'ys  hax'e  to 
pass  right  along  here  when  I  go  o\'er  the  mountain,  and  I  hate 
to  see  the  poor  things  choked  to  death."  There  was  a  sndle  on 
his  face  that  reminded  me  of  one  I  had  seen  on  the  face  of  a  fond 
father  when  speaking  of  his  little  ones  at  home. 

Clustered  together,  they  gre  ,v  to  a  height  of  two  feet.      On 


WILD    1''L0\V1:RS   of    COLORADO.  47 

the  tips  of  the  plant  these  ahnost  transparent,  dehcate  Httle  bhie 
blossoms  were  flowered.  They  swayed  constantly,  as  if  nodding 
their  thanks  tor  the  morning  siui  and  the  fresh  mountain  air 
oiven  them.  It  was  a  lovely  picture — one  I  will  not  soon  forget. 
I  fear  that  my  brush  has  made  but  a  poor  representation  of  it. 

I  asked  my  new-found  friend  the  name  of  this,  his  favorite 
fl(nver.  "Oh,  a  gcxxl  bit  ago  me  and  Betsey  named  it  fairy-lily, 
arter  our  little  Lily  we  left  back  in  the  States."  I  thought  it 
appropriately  named,  and.s.o  we  will  call  it  "the  fairy  lily."  I  am 
unable  to  find  its  botanical  name,  and  doubt  its  ha\'ing  one.  It 
belongs  to  the  Linum  family. 

Perhaps  the  hardest  day  spent  at  Cimarron  was  the  one 
selected  for  our  jMcnic.  It  was  to  be  spent  in  one  of  the  pretty 
parks  on  a  mountain  about  two  miles  from  cam|).  The  road 
to  the  park  was  only  a  trail,  and  to  get  there  we  must  go  on  horse- 
back. It  was  easy  to  say  go  on  horseback — but  where  were  the 
horses  ? 

Mr.  Smith  had  been  engaged  to  take  a  latcl}'  ai-ri\ed  part)' 
out  hunting,  and  expected  to  be  gone  for  several  da\  s  ;  but  "he 
guessed  he  could  rig  us  up  on  some  burros  he  had.  rhe\-  were 
good  travelers — slow,  but  sure."  I  wish  )'ou  could  ,  hax'e  seen 
them  when  they  were  brought  to  us  "all  saddled  and  bridled." 
Six  worse  loi^kinLT  animals  I  never  saw.  Thev  looked  all  ears. 
The  saddles  were  too  large,  and,  to  make  them  fit,  pieces  of  carpet, 
gunnysack  and  old  blankets  had  been  placed  under  them.  The 
laro'cst  burro  had  a  bell  attached  to  his  neck,  and  we  were  told 


4>S  WILD     I'l.OWI'.kS    f)I-    COLORADO. 

that  he  must  lead,  the  others  would  follow  without  "■ui(hn<^.  I 
would  like  to  ^ive  you  a  sketch  of  the  start,  but,  as  m}'  sketches 
must  be  confined  to  Howers,  I  refrain. 

We  follow  the  bell.  The  animals  arc  so  small  that  the  tall 
men  of  the  party  are  obliged  t(;  hold  their  legs  akimbo  to  keep 
their  feet  from  dragging.  There  was  a  halt  at  least  e\'ery  ten 
minutes.  Some  one  of  the  [)arty  is  on  the  ground  instead  of  on 
the  burro,  and  the  sad(lle  is  where  the  "cingle"  should  be.  The 
unfortunate  one  is  helped  up,  the  saddle  is  adjusted,  and  we  start 
again — I  wish  I  could  say  on  a  trot,  but  with  all  the  coaxing  and 
whipping  they  can  not  be  persuaded  to  go  faster  than  a  walk,  and 
they  insist  upon  having  their  own  wa)'  in  climbing  a  mountain. 
Thev  follow  their  leader,  who  will  <>"o  alon'>;  the  side  of  the 
mountain  for  eight  or  ten  rods,  then  take  a  short  upward  turn  of 
ten  or  twelve  feet,  and  make  a  trail  in  the  shape  of  the  letter 
S  until  they  reach  the  top.  They  are  taught  this,  when  young, 
by  the  miners,  who  use  them  for  carrying  immense  loads  to  their 
mines.  I  ha\'e  seen  them  so  loaded  down  with  tents,  j)ro\'isions, 
and  all  kinds  ot  cabin  lurmture  that  you  could  hartlly  see  the 
animal. 

It  is  a  (|ueer  sight  to  see  ten  or  fifteen  of  these  little  things 
starting  out  for  some  mine,  [)erhaps  miles  away.  They  will  carry 
without  injury  to  themseK'cs  two  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  each. 

On  one  of  them  I  once  saw^  tent  poles  fastened  on  length- 
wise ;  on  these  was  placed  a  tent,  and  on  the  tent  sat  a  cooking 
stove,  with  tead<ettle  and  fr}ing-pan  fastened  on  it.     You  could 


WllJ)    IL()\\i:rs    Ol'-    COI.nRADO.  in 

just  sec  the  little  feet  and  ankles  of  the  hiirro.  Me  looked  like  a 
walking-  cooking-stove,  ready  to  stop  at  anv  moment  and  cook  von 
a  meal  to  order. 

At  last  we  reach  the  picnic  grounds.  The  l)urro  with  the 
hell  is  made  fast  to  a  tree  and  the  others  allowed  their  freedom, 
as  we  were  assured  by  their  master  that  nothing  would  drixe 
them  from  their  leader.  We  select  a  shady  place,  and,  as  all  are 
exhausted  from  laughter  and  the  exertion  to  remain  in  the  saddle, 
decide  to  rest  before  taking  lunch. 

As  I  slip[)ed  from  my  saddle  I  saw  near  me  some  fine 
mallows,  and  while  the  others  were  resting  I  at  once  commenced 
m}'  work.  I  hey  looked  so  small  and  delicate,  growing  in  the  rank 
grass,  then-  little  i)ink  faces  turned  toward  the  sun,  that  1  thought 
(){  them  as  "little  nuns  from  a  cloister  ;"  when  they  came  out  the 
sun  kissed  them,  and  they  blushed  ])ink.  The  blossom  much 
resembles  a  miniature  hollyhock,  and  if  I  were  going  t()  gi\e  it  a 
common  name  I  would  call  it  the  wild  hollyhock.  It  grows  from 
eight  to  ten  inches  high,  and  llowers  from  August  until  October. 

1  found  the  party  seated  at  lunch.  I  had  been  informed 
some  time  belore  that  they  would  wait  f(M-  me  — just  ten  minutes, 
and  I  knew  I  had  tried  their  patience  by  keepintr  them  waiting- 
at  least  twenty.  How  good  the  lunch  did  taste  !  Dick  made 
the  coffee,  and  he  felt  well  repaid  for  his  trouble  when  the 
demand  for  the  third  cup  was  made  l)y  all. 

After  lunch  we  did  a  little  i)rospecting  and  found  an  iron 
spring.     The  water  was  cool  and  delicious,  and  pronounced  as 


50  WILD    I'LcnVlCRS    UF    CULORAUO. 

fine  as  the  noted  spring-  at  Manitou.  The  men  were  sure  they 
had  made  a  wonderful  discovery,  and  bottled  some  of  the  water 
to  have  it  analyzed. 

In  the  soft  earth  near  the  spring  were  distinctly  seen  tracks 
that  much  resembled  the  deer's  foot.  Dick  was  at  once  called  to 
decide,  and  he  said  there  was  not  the  least  doubt  of  its  being 
deer.  The  men  wanted  to  return  to  camp  at  once  and  make 
preparations  for  the  next  day  to  hunt  for  deer.  All  interest  in 
our  picnic  was  gone  from  the  moment  the  deer's  tracks  had  been 
discovered,  and  the  selfish  men  were  anxious  to  start  for  home. 
Seeing  we  were  to  have  no  more  pleasure  from  then*  society  we 
consented  to  start  for  camp.  So,  packing  up  our  baskets,  we 
no  for  the  burros,  lau<diini)^  to  think  of  our  ride  back  down  the 
mountain.  If  it  had  been  difficult  to  remain  on  their  backs 
commg  up,  what  would  it  be  going  down  ? 

"  Yes,  there  is  the  leader  with  the  bell,  but  where,  oh  where, 
are  the  other  burros?"  The  leader  wai><»-ed  his  ears  in  a  manner 
which  plainly  expressed  that  he  could  tell  if  he  chose,  but  he  did 
not  choose. 

A  search  was  made,  but  no  burros  found.  "Oh,  Dick! 
what  shall  we  do?"  was  asked  by  all.  "  W'^ell,  faith,  I  think  the 
walking  home  will  be  done  by  two  legs  instead  of  four."  As 
he  was  stra[)ping  our  traps  on  the  leader  he  was  heard  to 
remark:  "None  of  your  winking  at  me,  ye  measly  beast,  I 
believe  my  soul  you  jnit  it  in  their  heads  to  do  it." 

I    think  we  all   enjoyed    the  walk    home ;  we    rested    many 


WILD    FL0\V1:RS    of    COLORADO.  5  I 

times,  and  at  each  stop  saw  some  new  beauties  in  the  lovely  land- 
scape before  us.  We  could  see  "Ouray"  Mountain,  with  its 
peaks  covered  with  snow,  while  around  us  in  full  bloom  were 
hundreds  and  hundreds  of  flowers. 

Just  before  we  reached  camp  I  found  this  "Oenothera,"  or 
evening  primrose.  It  was  growing  in  the  grass  and  about  the 
height  I  have  given  in  the  plate.  It  blossoms  from  June  until 
October.  The  blossom  is  perfect  at  about  five  o'clock.  To  be 
able  to  make  this  sketch  repaid  me  for  my  walk  home,  and  I 
freely  forgave  the  wicked  "  burro." 

Every  day  brought  some  new  pleasure  ;  we  had  plenty  of 
game  and  fresh  trout  for  breakfast  every  morning,  yet  the  men 
had  not  been  rewartied  by  the  early  watch  in  the  canyon  for  deer, 
and  to  carry  back  at  least  one  was  their  great  desire. 

Our  friend  of  the  hotel  came  to  the  rescue.  He  knew  "a 
scout  by  the  name  of  Johnson,  who  had  just  come  in,  and  he  was 
the  man  to  find  deer.      He  had  had  wonderful  success." 

Johnson  was  sent  for  and  soon  made  his  appearance  in 
camp.  He  told  them  "if  they  were  willing  to  tramp  and  spend 
one  night  in  the  mountains  he  reckoned  they  would  bring  home  a 
few."  They  were  willing  to  tramp  and  to  make  any  sacrifice  to 
secure  the  coveted  deer,  so  a  trip  was  planned  for  the  next 
day.  They  left  by  daylight,  on  foot,  taking  with  them  well 
packed,  the  "  leading  bu'"ro." 

On  the  second  day  toward  night  we  began  to  feel  a  little 
anxious  about  our  hunters,  and  we  went  to  the  top  of  lookout 


•^•■AltY  OF  THF  UNIVERSfTY 

OF    M  fc^-kTA 


52  WILD    I'l.OWICRS    Ol^    COLORADO. 

hill  to  watch  for  them.  After  waitinij  an  hour  we  saw  somethinii 
coming.  I  thouglit  it  was  a  wild  animal  of  the  mountains,  and 
wanted  to  run.  It  appeared  to  have  three  heads,  and  it  came 
very  slowly  toward  us.  Soon  we  saw  men  slowly  straggling 
up  the  hill.  We  looked  again  at  the  animal  and  recognized 
the  ears  ;  the  two  additional  heads  belonged  to  two  as  fine  deer 
as  one  would  wish  to  sec.  They  had  been  strapped  to  the  burro, 
and  the  pnov  thing  was  quite  exhausted  from  the  heavy  load  and 
long  tramp. 

To  say  that  the  men  were  proud  of  their  success  would 
but  poorly  express  it.  It  surpassed  any  pride  I  had  ever  before 
seen,  and  gave  us  all  real  pleasure. 

Dick  gave  a  wonderful  account  of  the  flowers  he  had  seen, 
and  had  dug  up  quite  a  number  for  me,  but  none  were  perfect 
except  this  cleome.  It  is  quite  common  in  this  State,  blossoming 
in  August  and  September,  and  sometimes  later  in  the  fall.  "t 
has  two  shades  of  color  as  I  hax'c  <»i\'en  them.  I  have  seen  the 
straw-color  in  Utah,  but  never  in  this  State.  It  will  grow  in  both 
hio'h  and  low  altitudes. 

As  cx'cry  thing  must  have  an  end,  so  must  very  soon  this 
trip.  Dick,  who  had  charge  of  every  thing,  including  time, 
informed  us  that  W(;  had  but  one  day  more.  "Only  one  day 
more?"we  all  exclaimed.  It  did  not  seem  possible  that  we  had 
spent  together  nearly  thirty  days,  the  time  had  gone  so  quickly 
and  pleasantly. 

Now  that  we  had  but  one   day  we   thought   of  a   hundred 


Wi  _i1     GIHArl'UM     lEAjVES 


WILD    FI.OWKiiS    (W    COLORADO.  53 

things  wc  wanted  to  do.  To  tiikc  home  d  fme  strint^  of  speckled 
trout  seemed  to  be  the  aml)iti()n  of  the  men.  Dick,  knowing  this 
would  be  the  case,  hatl  arranged  every  thing  the  night  before,  and 
was  ready  for  an  early  start.  I  had  remembered  seeing  on  our 
first  fishing  excursion  some  beautiful  wild  geranium  leaves, 
growing  close  to  the  ground,  and  I  decided  to  go  with  the  i)arty, 
and  on  this,  our  last  day,  make  them  ni)'  last  sketch.  They  grow 
in  little  clumps  and  resemble  the  autumn  leax'cs.  These  I  pulled 
from  the  soft  earth,  the  stems  going  into  the  ground  within  an 
inch  of  the  leaf.  There  are  no  two  leaves  alike  in  color,  and  ye<- 
every  shade  is  represented  in  them. 

The  trout  caught  that  day  by  the  party  were  a  delight  to  all  ; 
one  weighed  two  and  a  quarter  pounds.  They  were  carefully 
packed  in  ice,  and  were  among  the  trophies  of  our  trip. 

From  Cimarron  to  Denver  is  just  a  day's  ride,  so  by  five 
o'clock  the  next  morninti"  uur  car  was  attached  to  the  reiiular 
passenger  train  of  the  Denver  &  Rio  Grande  Railway  from 
the  west,  and  soon  w^e  were  again  climbing  the  mountains.  All 
seemctl  (juiet,  and  many  were  the  regrets  that  we  were  so  soon  to 
part ;  the  Bohemian  life  suited  us  all,  and  to  me  it  was  a  new  and 
delightful  experience.  Every  moment  had  been  a  benefit.  I 
had  studied  nature  more  in  those  few  days  than  in  any  one  )ear 
of  my  life.  The  sketches  of  flowers  I  had  made  and  intended 
to  give  to  my  friends  grew  handsomer  to  me  as  we  looked  them 
over  on  our  way  home.  "  ]\Iy  !  what  a  pretty  book  the\  would 
make,"  said  Dick.      It  was  echoed  by  the  whole  l)arty.      "And 


54  WILD  flo\vi:rs  ok  Colorado. 

tell  about  the  <too(1  times  we  have  had,"  said  all.  So  if  my  book 
has  not  interested  you,  you  must  not  blame  me  but  our  party,  for 
they  proposed  it. 

We  arrived  home  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  eveninsi.  It 
was  a  beautifid  moonlight  night,  much  the  same  as  the  one  on 
which  the  trip  was  planned.  In  saying  good-by  we  all  promised, 
that  if  every  thing  went  well  with  us  for  one  year  from  that  time, 
we  would  repeat  our  trip  of  "Thii'*ty  days  in  the  mountains  of 
Colorado." 


